Proposed changes to military health system designed to build efficiencies, improve care

By Sue Campbell

Published 3:17 pm, Tuesday, March 20, 2012

A proposed new governance structure will make the military health system more effective, produce savings, and improve beneficiaries' access to care.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter submitted a report to Congress March 2 describing the department's plan to further integrate health operations.

The report recommends establishing a Defense Health Agency (DHA) to absorb the functions of the Tricare Management Activity and grant increased authority to directors of multi-service medical markets, such as in San Antonio.

The objective of the reforms is to realize savings through the adoption of common clinical and business processes and the consolidation and standardization of various shared services.

“We're excited about this plan as it takes the SAMHS concept to a higher level, establishing greater opportunities to manage and allocate the budget for the market, direct the adoption of common clinical and business functions and direct the movement of workload and workforce between Air Force and Army medical treatment facilities in the San Antonio area,” said SAMHS Director Air Force Maj. Gen. Byron Hepburn, who is also commander of the 59th Medical Wing at Lackland Air Force Base.